2008 NCAA Tournament Predictions

My prediction for the Final Four is UCONN, Stanford, UNC, and Tennessee. I know what your thinking, "That's impossible." No it isn't. That's my women's Final Four. Now, here are my predictions for the men, only upsets and other intresting games presented here:

First round
East
12 George Mason over 5 Notre Dame - If we can stop their perimeter game, I like out chances. Will Thomas is used to going up against bigger guys like Harangody. Harangody is not used to going up against someone like Thomas.
11 St. Joseph's over 6 Oklahoma - I'll act like an ESPN anaylst and say something inane like, "I think St. Joseph's has got enough here."
10 South Alabama over 7 Butler - Both teams are underrated and it's sad that they play in the first round. It's even sadder for Butler that the game is in Birmingham. Birmingham might not be in south Alabama, but it's probably middle Alabama.

Midwest
9 Kent St. over 8 UNLV - This should be an entertaining game and it worries me a bit. But I the guy who I believe will put Kent St over the top is Quaintance, the defensive player of the year in the MAC. Mike Scott and Al Fisher give the Golden Flashes multiple options on offense.
6 USC over 11 Kansas State - The battle between Mayo and Beasley won't be that at all. They'll both have ggod games, but USC is more experienced, maiking the Sweet Sixteen last season, beating another freshman sensation in the process, Durant.
10 Davidson over 7 Gonzaga - Both teams are underrated, buthte game is in North Carolina. So is Davidson. Stephen Curry is an unbelievably exciting player. Watch him, if you can.

South
9 Oregon over 8 Mississippi St. - Oregon shouldn't have made the tournament, but their ability to hit the three should put them over the top.
11 Kentucky over 6 Marquette - I struggled over this one. I've watched Marquette and have been left unimpressed. I like that Kentucky has beaten the best teams in the SEC after a horrid start to the season.
10 St. Mary's over 7 Miami (Fl) - To be honest, this is all about mid-major solidarity.

West
14 Georgia over 3 Xavier - Georgia has been through the wars this season and mostly come up short. But their run through the SEC tournmanet was so inspiring. Maybe they'll keep the magic for one more game.

Thrilling 32
East
12 George Mason over 4 Washington St. - Mason's defense, which has hit high gear during the CAA tournament will carry us through this round.

Midwest
9 Kent St over 1 Kansas - In a close game, who will Kansas count on to win it in the clutch? I don't know either. Kent St. will rely on Fisher and win the game.
5 Clemson over 4 Vanderbilt - Clemson inpressed me in the ACC tournament. I like their ability to shoot the three.

South
4 Pittsburgh over 5 Michigan St. - No upsets in the round in the South region. Pittsburgh is too tough to handle down low for most teams.

West
5 Drake over 4 UCONN - I struggled over this game. It's largely about mid-major solidarity, but also senior leadership.
6 Purdue over 14 Georgia - You'd think Georgia has to have a bad game sometime.
7 West Virginia over 2 Duke - West Virginia is underrated and Duke is overrated. Duke won't be able to stop Alexander.

Sweet 16
East
12 George Mason over 1 UNC - We beat the Tar Heels two years ago. UNC is better this time around, but someone like Thomas is just a tough matchup for Hansbrough.

Midwest
5 Clemson over 9 Kent St. - No upsets in the Sweet 16 in this region, but in the words of ESPN analysts, "Clemson's just got too much for Kent St." whatever that means.

South
2 Texas over 3 Stanford - No upsets here either, but the game is in Houston, which I believe is in Texas. Stanford's 7' twins are inconsistant.

West
7 West Virginia over 6 Purdue - Bob Huggins has been here before and with a senior point guard in Nichols, West Virginia will advance.

Elite 8
East
12 George Mason over 2 Tennessee - Tennessee is largely a perimeter team (less so this year than last though). If they make shots they'll win, if they don't GMU wins. They won't.
Midwest
2 Georgetown over 5 Clemson - The Hoyas are bigger, which doesn't mean much, except they'll also more talented and more disciplined than Clemson.
South
2 Texas over 1 Memphis - The game's in Texas, Memphis shoots poorly from the line, and other cliches. Is Augustine better than Rose? Does he have to be for Texas to win?
West
1 UCLA over 7 West Virginia - In a blowout. UCLA has a great starting five and seems to have all of the luck. You need luck to win this tournament.

Final 4
2 Georgetown over 12 George Mason - This was painful to think about. I love both teams. Mason can win if GMU plays the perfect game. But even if Hibbert gets into foul trouble, the Hoyas are still so deep and big. Sommers and Ewing, in addition to senior point guard Wallace could put them over the top here.
1 UCLA over 2 Texas - Let's use another bit of ESPN analysis here. Collison, Love, Westbrook, UCLA will win (just naming players and not saying anything).

Championship
2 Georgetown over 1 UCLA - Should be a good game. If you look above, you know I like experience. Particularly a star senior point guard and a star senior center. Howland ans Thomspon are two of the best coaches today. The Hoyas style sould dictate tempo and force UCLA to have to work for every basket.